.
Momma woodchuck has four children this year, and they’re keeping her busy.
.
.
Like any overworked mother, there are days when she just needs a break.
.
.
Times when she wants to ditch the kids who hound her and follow her everywhere she goes.
.
.
On those days?
.
.
She just has to climb a tree.
.
.
Didn’t think woodchucks climbed trees?
.
.
Beleaguered mothers do.
😉
.
.
Momma Chuck birthed them and nursed them…
.
.
But now that they’re eating the same solid food ?
.
.
She’s not sharing with them.
.
.
Motherhood has its limits.
.
.
🤣
.
.
Today the turkeys beat the deer to the buffet.
.
.
Come on mom, I’m hungry.
.
.
Bambi wanted in.
.
.
But was decidedly out numbered.
.
.
Look at mommas face.
She is not pleased.
.
.
But she gives in and tries to approach.
.
.
Nope.
Even when Bambi runs at them they just scatter and regroup.
.
.
Still hungry…
.
.
Bambi finds an alternative source.
.
.
.
It’s turkey season.
.
.
And that doesn’t bode well for our fine feathered visitors.
.
.
Momma brought her seven babies for their first nosh under the bird feeders a few months ago…
.
.
And they’re all still with her.
.
.
You go momma.
.
.
They’re comical birds to watch.
.
.
Like big brown chickens who gobble instead of cluck.
.
.
Though her babies are almost full grown, momma is still vigilant…
.
.
And takes off at the slightest perceived threat.
.
.
Picture of pretty backyard trees included… just because I can.
.
Because laughter is the shortest distance between two people.
You knew it had to happen.
Pumpkin spice is everywhere….
Yay!
Though I’m ashamed to admit I’m old enough to remember those.
All things considered?
Not bad Jen.
At this point, falling through a giant hole in the ground would be preferable to grocery shopping.
She really is.
Momma needs a cocktail. Don’t judge.
Single guys?
Please let me know how these work.
I hope so…
But it’s not looking good.
These two cuties came running up from the woods the other day while I was reading on the barn porch.
They’ve grown so quickly.
Getting taller every day.
We have a total of four fawns who visit.
But I’m guessing these two are twins since they’re always together.
Mom wandered up shortly after.
And kept an eagle eye on me and my camera.
No worries momma.
Bambi is safe with me.
Woodchucks!
Posing in clover.
Having a healthy snack.
Kissing.
Or biting, who the hell knows? They’re rodents….. for all I know they’re discussing campaign strategy.
They love lettuce.
And since we’ve been flooded with it from our CSA, so have they.
Behold –
My first photo of momma and 4 babies together.
She’s down 2 due to fox predation, so the sextuplets are now quadruplets.
Poor momma.
She’s fiercely protective, but Mother Nature always has the final say.
Like these quick shots I didn’t have time to focus.
Do you suppose that starling called Uber….
And this was what showed up?
It’s fierce.
And when her babies are around?
(Yes, I’m talking about woodchucks…. were you expecting something else?)
When her babies are here….
And her babies are there…
Momma knows no fear.
Take a look at who she chased the other evening.
You go momma chucker!
Mad momma squirrel’s rampage continued for almost an hour.
Poor little thing, I did feel badly for her.
She was looking everywhere for her babies.
And then..
There they were.
Calling frantically for her.
So she came and got them, one by one.
Right past us, no fear at all.
I don’t know where she took them, but I hope it’s far away.
I love all our visiting critters.
But not when they want to actually take up residence in our house.
So.
Our resident woodchuck….
Who we (ever so creatively) call Mr. Chuck?
Yeah.
We may need to rethink that.
Can someone please call Jane Russell?
Because momma woodchuck is in serious need of a few eighteen hour bras.
River's world..... 